EUROPE

Marseilles lures Eastern trades

23 years ago

Marseilles’ total throughput last year of 95.5m tons (3.6% up on 2002) was the highest since 1988. Key cargo growth came at Fos container terminal where a throughput of almost 533,000TEUs (+8.8%) was boosted by seven new services on the booming east-west trades. These services with bigger ships lifted capacity between Fos and Asia, notably China, by 30%. China strengthened its rank as the port’ s second biggest container market (after Algeria) with a 30% increase to 83,000TEUs.

A window system offering priority berth and ship-working slots according to an agreed call schedule was introduced.

Two new post-Panamax cranes were also delivered at a cost of €14.6m. Fos was then ready to accept 6,700TEU vessels after dredging to 14.5 metres at a further cost of €17.6m – the first phase of Fos access channel deepening as a prelude to Marseilles’ main container expansion project – the Fos 2XL public-private partnership scheme to develop new intermodal facilities along 1,100 metres of quay by 2007. Last December the French government ratified Fos 2XL as a national priority project and approved proposals for funding of €175m from the port, State, local authorities and the EU to cover quay construction and a second phase of dredging due to start in 2005.

A matching sum for shoreside development is to come from private sector operators. The Portsynergy joint venture between CMACGM, the world’s fifth-ranked container carrier, and P&O Ports was selected to operate the 400 metre first phase following a call for tenders in July 2002. Tenders for the remaining 700 metres were invited in July 2003 and attracted bids from Portsynergy as well as Maersk – bidding with its associate, Fos stevedore Seayard – and MSC. All the lines involved use the existing Fos terminal.

Current negotiations are due to lead to a decision on the successful phase two candidate – or candidates – in late March, followed by public debate and final negotiations on the operating concessions for both phases. Beyond core operations, the port authority’s container sector strategy aims to position Marseilles-Fos as a prime Europe/Mediterranean distribution platform for east-west carriers.